Golf practice device



May 24, 1960 J D, MASON ETAL GOLF' PRACTICE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Feb. 13, 1958 El] w 0 #a :1511i a 3 w a z H :L 7. \lMll/V/ |f||flll|||f i141 ll M m di W im f, -,f d, llllllll llt llll Il I IlllvdIII|2|IIIA |||F||| 7 /M Ell May 24, 1960 J. D. MASON ETAL 2,937,875

GOLF PRACTICE DEVICE Filed Feb. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 I N V EN TOR.k/O//A/ M50/v United States Patent G 2,937,875 GLF PRACTICE DEVICE JohnD. Meson, Muskegon, ood George A. Mitoholl, Spring Lahe Township, OttawaCounty, Mich.; said Mitchell assigner to said Mason Fixed Foo. 1s, 195s,sor. No. 715,035 s claims. (ci. 27s-19s) This invention relates to agolf practice device and, more particularly, relates to a device adaptedfor duplicating many of the conditions encountered upon a golf course,except putting conditions, so that many of the more frequentlyencountered shots which a golfer may be required to make, except putts,can be practiced away from the golf course.

It is well known that the game of golf requires frequent, if notconstant practice so that the golfer can attain the necessary degree ofskill to satisfactorily execute the shots which he may face on the golfcourse. A van'ety of different devices have been proposed for golfpractice purposes but, insofar as we are aware, such devices have beenprimarily intended for practicing drives and putts. A large proportionof the shots which a golfer is required to execute on the golf courseare neither drives or putts but are shots from the fairway Where theconditions are not the same as are encountered when driving from the teeor when putting on the green. ln particular, a golfer is frequentlyrequired to make shots from up-hill, down-hill, or side-hill lies and,insofar as we are aware, none of the prior golf practice devices havebeen able to simulate such conditions satisfactorily.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedgolf practice device adapted for simulating many of the conditions morefrequently encountered on the golf course, particularly, up-hill,downhill and side-hill lies.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device, asaforesaid, which can simulate a large number of the more frequentlyencountered lies which a golf ball is likely to assume on the golfcourse, except for putts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device, asaforesaid, by which a large number of the more frequently encounteredgolf shots, except putting, may be practiced at any suitable locationaway from the golf course.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device, asaforesaid, which consists of a minimum of working parts, which may beinexpensively and sturdily constructed and which may be readily used byunskilled golfers with a minimum of instruction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a golf practicedevice,as aforesaid, having a platform which may be tilted to a widevariety of angles in order to simulate a large number of the morefrequently encountered lies which a golfer is likely to face on-the golfcourse and which may be readily adjusted to provide a variety ofdifferent simulated golf course conditions.

, Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent topersons acquainted with equipment of this type upon reading thefollowing description and inspecting the accompanying drawings, Yinwhich:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the golf practice device.

Figure 2 is a sectional View substantially as taken along the line 11 ofFigure 1, and also showing in bro-v ICC 2 ken lines the golf practicedevice in onepof .the many possible conditions of orientation which itmay assur 1n use.

Figure 3 is an expanded sectional view taken along the lino 111-111 ofFigure 1. 2 ,y l Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV=IVof Figure 3.

General description In general, our invention provides a golf Apracticede-a vice which consists of a polygonal platform which may be hingedlyconnected to a base along any one `of the edges of the polygon. Theplatform is connected to `an elevating device which is adapted toraise'the platform` and to tilt same with respect to the base sorthatthe platform can assume a position corresponding to an uphill,down-hill, or side-hill lie on a golf course. A tee structure isprovided on the platform and is adapted to support a golf ball so thatthe golfer may practice various golf shots, particularly, thoseinvolving up-hill, down-hill and side-hill lies, merely by changing theorientation of the platform with respect to the base.

Detailed description 11, are provided on each side of the polgon. EachVhinge element 11 consists of two spaced hinge members 11a and 11b anda'corresponding hinge element on the platform is adapted to snugly ttherebetween.' The base may be of any suitable construction such aswooden planks and, further, may be of any desired shape, lsuch asrectangular, as desired or required. However, it is essential for thepurposes of this invention that the hinge elements 11 be arranged in theform of a polygon.

The platform 12 is also polygonal in shape, 'and in this particularembodiment, is octagonal. In the disclosed embodiment, the platform isformed of three sections 18, 19 and 21, which sections arechannel-shaped 'in cross-section as shown in Figure 2. The adjacent sidewalls of the sections 18 and 19 and sections 19 and 21,A

are joined together by bolts 22 (Figure 2) to rigidly connect the threesections to form a unitary structure. Suitable reinforcing means, suchas plates 23 (Figure 1), are provided in the sections 18, 19 and 21 toprovide a rigid and durable structure. Obviously, the platform can beformed asA an integral unit or in greater number of sections as may bedesired or required.

A pair of hinge members 14a and 14b are provided on each of thedownwardly extending, peripheral sidewalls 13 of the platform 12. Thehinge elements lila and 14b on each side of the platform are adapted tofit between the corresponding hinge members 11a and 11b of the hingeelements 11 on the corresponding sides of the base 10. In the disclosedembodiment, the hinge elements 14a and 1412 and hinge members 11a and11b are tubular members which when interiitted vdefine a centralopening. A pair ofhinge bars 161 and 17 are4 provided and are adaptedto'be placed in the central Opening in the assembled hinge structuresdefined by the' onal arrangement of the hinge parts can be modified toprovide a greater or lesser number of sides as desired or required.However, it has been found that the octagonal arrangement thereofenables the user to simulate many of the lies, mostfrequentlyencountered on the course, particularly, up-hill, down-hilland. side-hill lies.

In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the base is indicated asresting upon the ground. As disclosed in Figure 2, a pit 26 is providedin the ground for reception of a piston and cylinder device 27. Thecylinder 28 is supported on a rod 29 having a ball 31 on the lower endthereof. The ball 31 is received within a socket structure 32 whichsocket structure is mounted upon a plate 33 having an anchoring post 34extending into the ground. The piston 36 is provided with a ball 37 atits outer end. A socket structure 38 is secured to the lower surface ofthe platform 12 substantially at the center thereof and the ball isreceived within such socket structure. Thus, the cylinder 28 isconnected to the ground and the piston 36 is connected to the platformby universal joints, here ball joints, so that they may swing into anydesired position as may be required by the orientation of the platform.

A conduit 39 is connected to the lower end of the cylinder 29 so thatuid pressure may be applied to the cylinder to elevate the pistontherewithin and thereby obtain the desired orientation of the platform.The conduit 39 is connected at its other end to a suitable uid pressuresource, such as the pump 41. The pump 41 is herein shown as being anymanually operable pump having an actuating handle 42. Obviously, othertypes of pumps can be utilized if desired or required. The pumpstructure is also provided with a suitable, conventional valve to permitventing of the fluid pressure from the cylinder 28 when it is desired tolower the platform to its horizontal position.

A mat structure 43 is provided adjacent one sidewall, here the sidewall13b, of the platform 13. The mat structure includes a pair of fiberbrushes 44 and 46 (Figure 3) which surround an opening 47 in theplatform 12. The brushes may be of any suitable type and includebristles which are mounted in a base 48 (Figure 3) which is secured tothe upper surface of platform 12.

A tee structure 53 is secured to the platform and extends through theopening 47 therein. The tee structure, as shown in Figures 3 and 4,includes an elongated tubular, ball supporting member 54 made ofresilient and flexible material, such as rubber. The member 54 issecured to a threaded plug 56 by a screw 57, which screw is threadedinto the plug and the head of said screw bears against a resilientwasher 58 adjacent the bottom of the member 54. The plug 56 is threadedinto a threaded central opening 55 in a weight member 59. The weightmember 59, which may be made of steel, is considerably heavier than themember 54 and, due to the threaded central opening 55 in the upper endthereof the center of gravity thereof is in the lower portion thereof.

Said weight member is gimbal mounted with respect to the brackets 78 and79 which are in turn xedly mounted at the underside of section 19. Onesatisfactory gimbal structure will now be described.

A ring 61 surrounds the upper end of the weight member 59 and is spacedradially therefrom. A pair of pivot bars 62 and 63 (Figure 4) aresecured to the ring 61 by pins 64 and 66 and extend into recesses 67 and68 in the upper end of the weight member 59. Thus, the ring is xedlysecured to the weight member 59. A second pair of diametrically arrangedpivot bars 71 and 72 are secured to the ring 61 by pins 73 and 74 andtheir axes are .perpendicular to the axes of the pivot bars 62 and 63.The pivot bars 71 and 72 extend beyond the periphery of the ring 61through openings 76 and 77 in the brackets 78 and 79, respectively, andare pivotable therewithin. The bars 71 and 72 are held in such posi.

4 83 and 84. Thus, the ring 61, the weight member 59 and the ballsupporting member 54, are gimbally supported by the brackets 58 and 59and, due to the effect of the large weight member 59, the ballsupporting member 54 will normally assume a substantially verticalposition regardless of the orientation of the platform. Moreover, if thegolfer should strike the tee member, breakage thereof is not likely tooccur since the ball supporting member is resilient and since the teestructure as a whole is free to pivot within the opening 47 in theplatform 12.

Operation In using the device, the base 10 will be suitably anchoredwherever desired. The pit 26 is provided and the piston and cylinderdevice 27 is placed therein, with the plate 33 anchored. The platform 12is then moved into place and the ball 37 on the piston rod 36 is securedin the socket 38 to connect the platform to the piston and cylinderdevice. 'Ibe conduit 39 will be connected to the pump and to thecylinder 28.

When it is desired to orient the platform to simulate a desired lie ofthe golf ball, the hinge bars 16 and 17 are placed in the hingeassemblies on one of the sides of the polygon. The hinge bars and hingeassemblies thereby provide a pivot axis about which the platform 12 maybe swung by extension of the piston 36 from the cylinder 28. The pump 41is then actuated, as by raising and lowering the handle 42, to forcefluid pressure into the cylinder 28 and thereby raise the piston 36 tothe desired position. Such movement of the piston 36 effects a tiltingof the plaform about the pivot axis and thereby positions the platformto simulate the desired lie of a golf ball. When the platform has beenoriented as desired actuation of the handle is discontinued and theiluid pressure is maintained within the cylinder to hold the platform insuch position.

The golfer may then place the golf ball on top of the ball supportingmember 54. Ordinarily, the golfer will stand on the portion G of theplatform which is substantially diametrically opposite the tee structure53. On striking the ball, the golf club head, if it should strike theball supporting member 54, will not break same due to the resilient an'diiexible construction thereof. Usually, the striking of the ball willcause the tee structure to swing about its pivot axis but such will haveno detrimental effect since the tee structure will merely swing withinthe slot 47 in the platform 12. After the ball has been struck, the teestructure will eventually right itself and will again raise the ballsupporting member S4 into the vertically upwardly extending position dueto the effect of gravity on the weight member S9. Thus, the ballsupporting member in all positions of the platform will normally assumea substantially vertical position.

It will be understood that by changing the hinge bars from the hingeassemblies on one side of the polygon to the hinge assemblies on anotherside of the polygon, a different lie can be simulated by suitableactuation of the piston and cylinder device 27. With the octagonalstructure of the platform and arrangement of the hinge elements on thebase,v as described herein, itis possible to closely simulate many ofthe more frequently encountered lies, particularly, up-hill, down-hilland side-hill lies. Providing a platform with a greater or lesser numberof sides will increase or reduce, respectively the number of possiblelies which can be simulated by a given device.

It will be apparent that a variety of devices can be utilized forraising and lowering the platform in place of the hydraulic piston andcylinder arrangement described herein. For example, a screw-type jackcan be used to elevate the platform, which jack can be either manuallyor electrically actuated.

In some instances, it may be desired to omit the tee structure disclosedherein and instead to place the ball on the liber mats or on aconventional tee embedded in the ber mats. Still other structuressuitable for this purpose will be obvious.

Thus, the invention provides an improved golf practice device whichconsists of a platform which may be elevated and tilted to simulate manyof the possible lies which the golfer is likely to encounter on the golfcourse. The device is adapted for use as a practice device on a golfrange or in any place where suitable space is available. The teestructure disclosed herein is a desirable feature of the invention,particularly for driving range purposes, since it provides a permanenttee which is selfrighting and, thus, may be used with a minimum ofdillculty.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein,it will be understood that the invention contemplates such modificationsthereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A golf practice device, comprising in combination: a base havinghinge elements arranged thereon in a polygon; a platform having hingeelements thereon arranged in a polygon corresponding to the arrangementof the hinge elements on said base, the hinge elements on correspondingsides of the base and the platform being alignable; means for detachablyhingedly connecting the hinge elements on one of the sides of saidpolygon so that said platform may be hingedly connected to said basealong one side of said polygon; and means spaced from said one side ofsaid polygon for tilting said platform about said one side of saidpolygon whereby by selecting the side of hinged connection of saidplatform to said base said platform may be tilted to assume a variety ofpositions with respect to said base.

2. A golf practice device comprising in combination: a base having hingeelements arranged thereon to define a polygon; a polygonal platformhaving downwardly extending sidewalls on the respective edges thereof;hinge elements on each of said sidewalls and alignable, respectively,with the hinge elements on the respective sides of the polygon on saidbase; means for detachably connecting the hinge elements on one of thesides of said polygon so that said platform may be hingedly connected tosaid base along one selected side of said polygon; means positionedwithin said polygon and below said platform and connected thereto fortilting said platform about the side thereof which is hingedly connectedto said base;

and a tee structure mounted onsaid platform and extending upwardlytherefrom.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said tilting means includes afluid actuated piston and cylinder positioned below said platform andsubstantially concentric therewith; and universal joint means connectingone of said pistonand cylinder to the platformand for connecting theother of said piston and cylinder in fixed position with respect to thesaid base.

one selected side of said polygon; means positioned sub-` stantiallyconcentric within said polygon and below said platform and connectedthereto for tilting said platform about the side thereof which ishingedly connected to said base; a self-righting tee structure securedto said platform adjacent one side thereof and extending upwardlytherefrom; and a fibrous mat on the upper surface of said platform andsurrounding said tee structure.

5. A golf practice device, comprising in combination: a base havinghinge elements arranged thereon to define a polygon; a polygonalplatform having downwardly extending side walls on the-respective edgesthereof, said platform being of such size that the sidewalls thereof twithin said polygon; hinge elements on each of said sidewalls andalignable, respectively, with the hinge elements on the respective sidesof the polygon on said base; hinge bar means for detachably connectingthe aligned hinge elements on corresponding sides of the platform andthe base so that said platform may be hingedly connected to said basealong one side of said polygon; Va iluid-pressure actuated piston andcylinder positioned below and substantially concentric with saidplatform; universal joint means connecting said piston to said platformand universal joint means connecting said cylinder in pivotable butaxially non-movable relationship with respect to said base; meansdefining a slot through said platform adjacent one side edge thereof; atee structure supported in gimbals on said platform and extendingthrough said slot, said tee structure including a :golf ball-supportingmember extending upwardly from the pivot axis of said tee structure,said tee structure also including a weight located below the pivot axisof said tee structure, said weight being freely swingable with said teestructure` whereby said weight will cause said ball supporting member toextend substantially vertically regardless of the position ofsaidplatform; and a brous mat on the upper surface of said platform andsurrounding the slot therein.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,470,574 yNelson a May 17, 1949 2,678,823 Hugman May 18,1954 2,879,996Lederer Mar. 31, 1959

